Candlemass: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (Colored) Vinyl LP

Candlemass rose from the ashes of Nemesis, when bassist Leif Edling recruited Johan Lanquist, Mats Bjorkman, and Matz Ekstroem for a new project. Just as the Latin title of the group’s debut album suggests, the foursome delivered an epic 6-tracker widely considered a landmark release in the genre, and it’s easy to see why: heavy riffs, dramatic melodies, slowly palpitating drums, and ominous overtones dominate throughout. The band nails the potent, terrorizing sound to a point where it could effectively be called the blueprint for modern doom metal. Check out “Solitude,” “Demon Gate,” and “Crystal Ball.”

• red vinyl pressing
• music label: Peaceville 1986 / 2010

reviewed by nakaveli 08/2017